The last outline covered the first chapter of Tithing & Dominion. In it, we were introduced to the three tithes commanded by God. In Chapter 2, we are going to learn about the necessity of social funding, as well as the consequences for failing to fund God's Kingdom and funding in an unbiblical manner. Enjoy!
The necessity of social financing
- Social financing is needed for vast networks of social institutions to exist.
- Historically, there are two means found prevalent.
- State taxation, control, and maintenance.
- God's tax, or the law of the tithe to maintain education, welfare, religious institutions, etc.
The Tithe Barn
- The stored funds would be used for "welfare, education, hospitals, orphanages, grants to the arts, and much more."
- Before World War II, gleaning was a part of American rural life in some areas.
- Early on, Goodwill applied the gleaning principal in urban settings.
- Education was privately funded for most of history.
- State-controlled education is a modern development (thank you, Horace Mann).
- Welfare during the 1907 depression was provided by churches and private institutions.
- It was during this time that tax-supported welfare was implemented as a tool for political power.
- First by Pendergast of Kansas City, and then followed by many other "civil units."
- It was during this time that tax-supported welfare was implemented as a tool for political power.
Social Darwinism's negative impact
- Applied "ruthless egoism."
- The large producers denied social responsibility and escaped judgment by joining forces with the State.
- This allowed for the exploitation of people and resources.
- The alliance between big government and big business added to itself:
- Big labor
- Big foundations
- And statist education
- To train the future ministers who would man the big government-sanctioned churches.
- Socialism is a great tool to grant power to the powerful.
- There were more millionaires in Russia during the Soviet Union than under the Czars.
- The large producers denied social responsibility and escaped judgment by joining forces with the State.
- Socialist industries were not responsible for failing to provide what was demanded.
- Instead, the middle-class and poor were taxed to support the failing socialist institutions.
- Socialist institutions provide for needs by
- Destroying the middle-class to provide for the lower-class,
- Destroying the lower-class to provide for the state,
- Fostering civil war within the nation through social cannibalism.
- Socialism is parasitic and imperialistic.
- Parasitic and imperialistic confiscation towards its own people.
- Parasitic and imperialistic expansion to new territories in order to gain resources.
- As soon as the parasite of socialism takes over one host, it must find another to survive.
- It is more concerned with its own benefit than the people.
- Removes responsibility and the opportunity of maturity from the people by promoting social isolation.
- Disagrees with Christianity on the view of man.
- Socialism sees man as a conditioned reflex.
- Christianity sees man as a responsible sinner.
The tithe must be restored
- Socialism is easy to pull apart, but we must also offer a solution for rebuilding.
- Giving the tithe to godly causes involves one in social reconstruction.
- The making of Christian schools,
- Churches,
- Colleges,
- Welfare agencies,
- Etc.
How do we begin restoring the tithe?
- First, start tithing.
- Second, give the tithe to godly agencies.
- Churches are not the limit of "godly agencies."
- The Levites were the recipients of the tithe, and they performed many functions.
- Ministering in the sanctuary
- Godly education
- Godly music
- Godly welfare
- Godly assistance to civil authorities
- The realm of the godly is much broader than the walls of the church.
- To limit Christ's realm inside the church building is pietism.
- And ultimately hands Christ's kingship to the unbelieving world.
- The Levites were the recipients of the tithe, and they performed many functions.
- The tithe is our tool to restore Christ's kingship.
- Churches are not the limit of "godly agencies."
The tithe establishes stewardship
- The tithe teaches that all our wealth and possessions are a trust from God.
- We are responsible to care for our families.
- We must care for both parents and children.
- Family is the greatest and most successful welfare agency.
- All the families of the world do more welfare daily than federal welfare agencies in the world can accomplish.
- Relieving general distress
- Medical care
- Education
- Etc.
- All the families of the world do more welfare daily than federal welfare agencies in the world can accomplish.
- However, we cannot take "care" of our families, or give them welfare, if it means funding wickedness.
- Minimum requirement outside of the family is the tithe, God's tax.
- The tithe can be used how we see fit, as long as it goes to a godly agency.
- The tither should assess which areas of reconstruction need the most funding.
- Conscientiously giving to godly agencies in those fields is strategic.
- We are responsible to care for our families.
A Spiritual Total War
- We are obligated to bring all of life under Christ.
- Fighting small local battles are often our focus.
- The tithe allows for far-reaching and bigger goals.
I am already paying governmental taxes!
- Many say, "How can I tithe and pay taxes?"
- For the Christian, the tithe is not an option.
- You cannot wait for the State to lower its taxes.
- As long as the State provides social funding and functions, taxes will never decrease.
- This a reason for tithing and reconstructing now.
- Funding Christian action.
- This a reason for tithing and reconstructing now.
The Heart of the Tither
- We should tithe with the hope of a Christian order.
- But we should also fear the consequence of neglecting the tithe.
- It's either godly order or total statism.
- Christians often fear failing to pay taxes, but they don't fear failing to pay God what He commands.
- We should fear God for sins of commission and omission.
- We rob God when we rob Him of the tithe (Malachi 3:8-12)
- We rob Him even though the tithe is also for "…prosperity in terms of godly order."
- But we should also fear the consequence of neglecting the tithe.
Next Time
With the first two chapters covering the Old Testament tithes and the societal consequences of failing to keep them, someone might object to the tithes. Should we follow them in the New Covenant? The tithes were binding on Israel, but are they binding on us?
Look out for the following chapter outline to find the answer!
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